CLEMSON, S.C. - The Clemson Tigers claimed the series victory with a 3-1 upset win on Saturday afternoon against the No. 18/23 Virginia Cavaliers inside McWhorter Stadium. Sophomore Corri Hicks tallied her team-high 10th home run as the Tigers improved to 29-17 (11-9 ACC), while Virginia dropped to 33-10 (10-9 ACC).
The Cavaliers looked to strike first as the leadoff batter worked herself around to third base with only one out. Virginia ended up with runners on the corners with only one out, but right-hander Abby Dunning forced a pop up and fly out to end the inning before any damage.
It turned into Clemson being the first of the two programs to capitalize on the day. With one out in the bottom of the second, Sarah Breaux was hit by a pitch. Hicks followed with a firstpitch drive down the left-field line and out of the park for a two-run homer.
Virginia got the first two batters on off back-to-back walks in the top of the fourth inning, and Clemson made the change to Macey Cintron in the circle. Cintron quickly picked up two outs on a sac bunt and pop up to second. After loading the bases on an intentional walk with two outs, Cintron forced the next batter to fly out to left field to get out of the inning with Clemson still leading, 2-0.
Clemson tacked on an additional run in the bottom of the fifth inning. After Jamison Brockenbrough singled to the shortstop with one out, she stole second and went to third on a ground out by Kiley Channell. With two outs, freshman Mac Pavese drew a full-count walk, and Brockenbrough came home to score on a wild pitch to make it 3-0 for the Tigers.
Dunning got her 13th start in the circle this season. She went three innings and allowed only one hit while notching one strikeout in her 23rd appearance of the year. Cintron entered in relief and pitched the final four innings. She faced 16 batters and allowed only two hits as she picked up her fourth win of the year.
Up Next
The Tigers conclude the series against the No. 18/23 Cavaliers on Sunday, April 19 at 1 p.m. Sunday’s game will serve as the Tigers’ Senior Day where Clemson will recognize both Jamison Brockenbrough and Abby Dunning following the conclusion of the game.